Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA1702
Bell P-39Q-1-BE Airacobra
42-19551, 46th FS, 15th FG, 7th AF
Makin Island, Autumn 1943, "Devastating Devil"

Die-cast metal.
Superb detailing in 1/72 scale.
Pre-painted with pad applied markings.
Fully assembled.
Weapons that are not permanently
attached.
Comes with a pilot figure
Display stand included.
Option to display model with wheels up
or down.
Movable propeller.
Minimum use of plastic.
Very collectable.

The P-39Q has the distinction of being the most produced series with 4,905 built. The Q
also was the last version of the Airacobra to be made by Bell. The main difference
between the Q version and earlier versions was the replacement of the 4 wing-mounted
0.30 – inch machine guns with a single 0.50 –inch machine gun mounted inside a pod
attached to the bottom of each wing. The P-39Q-1-BE also regained the additional 231
pounds of armor of the P-31N-1.

US Marines recaptured Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands chain in the Fall of 1943 and
immediately built an airbase. It became the home base for the 15th FG, 46th FS and their
P-39s on December 18, 1943. The “Devastating Devil” pinkish sand paint scheme
definitely was a stand out among all the greens. This P-39 was painted with the intention
of it going to North Africa but it managed to find its way into the PTO. As well as escorts
for the Makin A-24s on their bombing raids the P-39s bombed and strafed ground targets.

P-39Q Airacobra Specifications
Manufacturer: Bell Aircraft.
Number built: 4,905

Armament: 1 X 37-mm cannon, 4 X .50 caliber machine guns

Powerplant: Allison V-1710-85 1,200 hp
Maximum speed: 385 mph @ 15,000 feet
Rate of climb: 4.5 minutes to 15,000 feet
Ceiling: 35,000 feet
Maximum range: 1,100 miles
Combat range: 650 miles

Wingspan: 34 feet
Length: 30 feet 2 inches
Height: 12 feet 5 inches

Empty weight: 5,645 pounds
Gross weight: 7,700 pounds
Maximum take-off weight: 8,350 pounds

Maximum internal fuel load: 120 US gallons
Maximum external fuel load: 175 US gallons
P-39Q-1-BE maximum internal fuel load as delivered 87 US gallons but a kit
could be added in the field to bring the capacity to 120 US gallons
P-39A-5-BE maximum internal fuel load was 110 US gallons

46th FS
patch

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THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION
PICTURES, NOT THE FINAL PRODUCT

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